Who are we?
Western National Insurance Group is a private mutual insurance company with over 120 years of experience serving customers' property-and-casualty insurance needs in the Midwestern, Northwestern, and Southwestern United States. Known as "The Relationship Company®," we define success as a measure of the relationships we have built over time. In everything that we do, we know that delivering a friendly and helpful interaction makes for a better experience for everyone involved. That is the power of "nice." At Western National, nice is something we work to bring to every person and organization with whom we partner and serve.
Western National Insurance is seeking a Data Engineering Intern to join our Data & Integrations team as part of the Summer 2027 Internship Program. Our company growth, combined with our focus on innovation, transformation, and investments in the customer experience are key drivers supporting the expansion of our team. The Data Engineering Intern will provide support to a variety of projects and initiatives, while playing a key role in our day-to-day operations.
Does this interest you?
- Are you looking to jump start your career in the IT field?
- The individual in this role will have the opportunity to directly assist the Data & Integrations team with a wide range of projects including, researching and implementing new approaches for protecting sensitive customer data, and improving customer satisfaction by optimizing data loading and access strategies, so the right data is available quickly.
Western National Internship Program Summary
Western National provides a robust internship program designed for individuals aiming to acquire valuable experience in the insurance industry. This program not only offers practical, hands-on opportunities and project work in partnership with our Data & Integrations team; but interns will also have the opportunity to enhance their existing skill sets through a range of professional development activities, cultivate relationships with employees and fellow interns, and participate in impactful volunteer initiatives within the community.
Position Summary
As a Data Engineering Intern in our Internship Program, you will join our Data & Integrations team and gain hands-on experience supporting the systems and processes that turn business data into useful information. You will work alongside experienced data engineers and business partners while learning about enterprise data warehousing, data integration, software development, and Agile delivery practices.
Potential responsibilities include:
- Work with technologies used in our data environment, including SQL Server, SSIS, Snowflake, Python, and other tools that support enterprise data warehousing and automation. Our team is also transitioning selected data workloads from SSIS and SQL Server toward Snowflake, providing exposure to both established and modern data engineering practices.
- Develop and test enhancements to data applications, ETL/ELT workflows, and supporting processes based on business requirements.
- Troubleshoot and debug data integration and Enterprise Data Warehousing (EDW) issues by analyzing data, reviewing code, and working with team members to identify solutions.
- Write clear, maintainable code and contribute to code reviews, unit testing, and other quality practices.
- Participate in Agile activities such as backlog refinement, work estimation, planning, and team discussions.
- Help identify opportunities to improve data processes, documentation, automation, and team efficiency.
- Create and maintain technical documentation to support learning, onboarding, ongoing maintenance, and production releases.
- Follow data security, privacy, quality, and change-management practices appropriate for an insurance environment.
- Complete special projects and other duties as assigned.
What You'll Need to Succeed
- Currently pursuing a degree, certificate, or coursework in Computer Science, Data Engineering, Information Systems, Mathematics, or a related field.
- A passion for technology and an interest in working with, analyzing, and improving data.
- Basic experience with SQL and relational databases through coursework, projects, employment, or personal learning.
- Exposure to Python or another scripting/programming language.
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, with an interest in understanding how systems and processes work.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts to both technical and nontechnical audiences.
- Willingness to ask questions, learn from feedback, and collaborate effectively with others.
- Ability to pay close attention to detail when working with data, code, and documentation.
- Familiarity with Agile software development practices, source control tools such as Git or GitLab, or ETL/ELT technologies such as SSIS or Snowflake is preferred but not required.
- Exposure to DevOps concepts, CI/CD processes, testing practices, or tools such as Docker or Jenkins is a plus.
- Two years of college or equivalent relevant experience is preferred.
Compensation Overview
The base pay offered for this position will be $20.00/hour.
More About Western National Insurance Group
Western National has long been known as "The Relationship Company®" and caring for our employees is part of that relationship commitment. We value connectiveness, empowerment, and accountability, and we believe that our employees are our biggest asset.
Currently ranked as the 41st largest private company by revenue in Minnesota (Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal), Western National has earned accolades year-over-year as an employer of choice and garnered multiple awards for wellness in the workplace. Western National has also been named a Top Workplace by the Star Tribune for consecutive years. In addition, the Group is consistently recognized as a Ward's 50 property-and-casualty insurance company for its outstanding financial results.
Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.
Western National provides employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
